Headlight system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with such a headlight system

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a headlight system. The headlight system comprises at least one headlight (20), wherein the headlight (20) comprises: - a housing (21) with a receiving space (30) for functional components of the headlight (20), - a closing disc (22) arranged on the housing (21) and closing off the front of the receiving space (30), - a light module (40) arranged in the recording space (30) with an activatable light source and with an optical system, - a cover frame (50), wherein the cover frame (50) is fixedly arranged in the receiving space (30), - a pivotable support frame (60), wherein at least the optical system is mounted in the support frame (60), wherein the support frame (60) is pivotably mounted in the housing (21) about a pivot axis (A) in order to move at least the optical system from a first end position to a second end position and vice versa, wherein in the first end position the light emission surface (42) is arranged in an area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing and in the second end position the light emission surface (42) is arranged outside the area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a headlight system.

[0002] For motor vehicles, the vehicle's external appearance is an important design aspect for creating individuality and brand identity. However, the artistic or aesthetic design of a vehicle component must not impair its functionality; rather, it must be carried out with due regard for the component's function. For headlights, the unobstructed emission of light from the lens must be ensured. Therefore, lenses are usually transparent. This has the disadvantage, however, that the interior of the headlight can be seen through the lens from the outside, which is generally undesirable from an aesthetic point of view when the headlights are switched off. Therefore, vehicle designers often strive for a headlight design that is described as "hidden until lit."This means, in particular, that the functional component, for example a low beam module, only becomes visible when it is active.

[0003] From DE 10 2021 119 165 A1 it is known that a lamp of a motor vehicle has a transparent or translucent light emission surface, wherein the transparent or translucent light emission surface is formed by a light emission wall of the lamp or the vehicle outer skin, which is provided with at least one electrochromic layer with opaque suspended particles and which is electrically switchable, at least in some areas, between an opaque state and a transparent or translucent state by means of electrical energy supplied by an electrical voltage source.

[0004] A disadvantage of such a solution is that the light-emitting surface is not 100% opaque in the opaque state and is not 100% transparent in the transparent or translucent state.

[0005] From DE 10 2012 108 772 B4, an actuable cover for functional parts of a headlight for a motor vehicle is known.

[0006] From DE 10 2011 087 224 A1, a light module of a headlight with a hybrid heat sink is known. A complex light source is suspended in a first bearing and in a second bearing in a swiveling frame so as to be pivotable about a first axis.

[0007] US 2019 / 0 257 494 A1 reveals a vehicle lamp with a movable lens.

[0008] The CN 2 19 756 121 U reveals a front headlight device with rotatably mounted lenses.

[0009] From DE 10 2023 117 612 A1 a lighting device for a vehicle is known, wherein a light rotation part can rotate a light connection part so that a light generating part emits light to a driving lens unit or to a radiator grille lens unit in order to selectively implement driving lighting or radiator grille lighting using the same light generating part.

[0010] DE 10 2021 102 631 B4 reveals further state of the art.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel design of a headlight system that enables a “hidden until lit” functionality.

[0012] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims concern advantageous further developments.

[0013] The headlight system according to the invention is a headlight system for a motor vehicle. The headlight system comprises at least one headlight. In particular, the headlight is a front headlight of the motor vehicle.

[0014] The headlight comprises a housing with a compartment for its functional components. These functional components can include, for example, light sources, electronic components, cooling devices, etc. The headlight also features a cover plate attached to the housing, which closes off the compartment at the front. The cover plate is preferably transparent. Furthermore, the headlight includes a light module with an activatable light source located within the compartment. In an activated state, the light source emits light. In a deactivated state, the light source preferably emits no light. However, it is also conceivable that, in an activated state, light is emitted with a significantly reduced intensity compared to the deactivated state.

[0015] The light module comprises an optical system. The optical system may, for example, include one or more lenses and / or one or more mirrors. The optical system is designed to shape the light emitted by the light source and radiate it via a light-exiting surface towards the lens, thus producing a desired light distribution in the area in front of the vehicle. The headlight also includes a cover frame, which is fixedly arranged in the mounting space. Furthermore, the headlight comprises a pivotable, in particular hinged, support frame, in which at least the optical system is mounted. This allows at least the optical system to be pivoted by pivoting the support frame, namely to be moved from a first end position to a second end position and vice versa.In the first end position, the light-emitting surface is located within an area covered by the cover frame to prevent external viewing. In the second end position, the light-emitting surface is located outside this area. In other words, in the first end position, the light-emitting surface is concealed by the cover frame and therefore not visible from the outside. However, in this first end position, the light-emitting surface cannot emit light towards the lens to create the desired light distribution in the area in front of the vehicle. This is possible in the second end position. Furthermore, the headlight includes a drive mechanism designed to pivot the mounting frame around the pivot axis. This drive mechanism could, for example, be an electric motor.

[0016] The spotlight system can be operated in a first and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the light source is deactivated and the mounting frame is in its first end position. In the second operating mode, the light source is activated and the mounting frame is in its second end position. Thus, in the first operating mode, where the light source is deactivated, the light-emitting surface is covered by the mounting frame, whereas in the second operating mode, the light source is activated and the light-emitting surface is not covered by the mounting frame. This results in a "hidden until lit" design of the spotlight with respect to the light module.

[0017] It is considered particularly advantageous if the cover frame is completely opaque. However, it is also conceivable that the cover frame, especially for aesthetic reasons, could be translucent but not transparent.

[0018] Preferably, the angular difference between the first end position and the second end position is at least 10°. Preferably, the angular difference between the first end position and the second end position is at most 70°.

[0019] It is quite conceivable that the supporting frame is formed by a housing of the light module.

[0020] It is considered particularly advantageous if the headlight system includes a headlight control unit, which is configured to control the light module and the drive such that when switching to the first operating mode, the light source is deactivated and the mounting frame is moved to the first end position, and when switching to the second operating mode, the light source is activated and the mounting frame is moved to the second end position. The headlight control unit can be implemented as a software function in a control module of the vehicle.

[0021] In principle, it is conceivable that the light source is fixed in place within the housing. The optical system could, for example, be a mirror that is held or attached in the support frame, so that the mirror can be opened and closed by pivoting it from the first end position to the second end position.

[0022] It is considered particularly advantageous if the entire light module is attached to the support frame.

[0023] It is considered particularly advantageous if the optical system is arranged in a fixed position relative to the light source of the light module.

[0024] It is considered particularly advantageous if the cover frame has an interruption in the pivoting range of at least the optical system, wherein a sight glass is connected to the support frame or the light module forms a sight glass, wherein the sight glass is designed such that the sight glass covers the interruption in the first end position.

[0025] In particular, in such an embodiment, it is considered advantageous if a surface of the privacy screen visible from the outside in the first end position is adapted to a surface of the cover frame visible from the outside.

[0026] It is considered particularly advantageous if the light module is a high beam module and / or low beam module for generating a high beam distribution and / or low beam distribution in the area outside in front of the motor vehicle in the second operating mode.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot axis of the headlight, when mounted in the vehicle, runs parallel or substantially parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle. "Substantially parallel" in this context means, in particular, that the angular deviation of the pivot axis from the transverse direction of the vehicle is less than 5°.

[0028] Such an embodiment with a pivot axis aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the vehicle's transverse direction, and thus a pivot axis aligned substantially horizontally, evokes memories of pop-up headlights, as were frequently provided in the past, especially in sports cars.

[0029] Therefore, such a design particularly appeals to people who value a sporty design.

[0030] Another advantage of a pivot axis aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is that it avoids dazzling road users to the side of the vehicle when changing the operating mode.

[0031] In principle, it is conceivable that the activation and / or deactivation and the pivoting of the support frame overlap in time when changing the operating mode, especially simultaneously. However, it is also conceivable that the activation and / or deactivation and the pivoting of the support frame occur with a time offset when changing the operating mode, especially if, when switching to the second operating mode, it is first pivoted and then activated, and when switching to the first operating mode, it is first deactivated and then pivoted.

[0032] A further advantage of a pivot axis aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal direction is that the same drive can also be used to adjust the beam range. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the second end position is adjustable to allow for beam range control. For example, the headlight system could be configured to store a change in angle made from the second end position for beam range control purposes and save this changed angle as the new second end position. This would then allow the drive to automatically move to the new second end position when switching from the first operating mode to the second.

[0033] It is considered particularly advantageous if, in a state where the headlight is mounted in the motor vehicle, the light emission surface in the second end position is positioned higher in a vehicle vertical direction than in the first end position.

[0034] It is considered particularly advantageous if a further light module with a further activatable light source and with a further optical system is attached in the same support frame, wherein light is emitted from the further light source in an activated state of the further light source, wherein the further optical system is configured to shape the light emitted by the further light source and to radiate it via a further light emission surface in the direction of the end plate in such a way that a further desired light distribution is generated in the external space in front of the motor vehicle, wherein in the second end position the further light emission surface is arranged in the area covered by the cover frame against external viewing and in the first end position the further light emission surface is arranged outside the area covered by the cover frame against external viewing.

[0035] The additional light module could, for example, be a daytime running light module. Particularly if the light module is a high beam module and / or a low beam module, it is not necessary for the daytime running light module to be active in the second operating mode. Therefore, it is considered particularly advantageous if the additional light source is activated in the first operating mode, especially if the additional light source is deactivated in the second operating mode.

[0036] It is considered particularly advantageous if the additional light module is arranged above the light module in the vehicle's vertical direction, in particular if it is attached to a top side of the light module.

[0037] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cover frame has a light-emitting window, wherein in the first end position the additional light-emitting surface is positioned in the light-emitting window, and in the second end position the light-emitting surface is positioned in the light-emitting window. In other words, the same light-emitting window is used by the light module and the additional light module. This allows a similar appearance of the vehicle to be achieved with both the active light module and the active additional light module, particularly with daytime running lights and with low beam and / or high beam.

[0038] The motor vehicle according to the invention features the headlight system according to the invention. Therefore, the descriptions of the advantages and advantageous embodiments of the headlight system apply accordingly to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0039] The following figures explain the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1. A motor vehicle in a front view, Fig. 2 a headlight of the motor vehicle according to a first embodiment in a schematic representation in a first operating mode, Fig. 3 of the headlights according to Fig. 2 in a second operating mode, Fig. 4 a headlight of the motor vehicle according to a second embodiment in a schematic representation in a first operating mode, Fig. 5 of the headlights according to Fig. 4 in a second operating mode.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 in a front view, i.e., a view from the front. In the figures, the vehicle's vertical direction is indicated by an arrow Z, its lateral direction by an arrow Y, and its longitudinal direction by an arrow X.

[0041] The motor vehicle 10 has a headlight system comprising two headlights 20, which in this case are the front headlights of the motor vehicle 10. The headlight system also includes a headlight control unit for controlling functional components of the headlights 20. The headlights 20 are mirror images of each other and otherwise essentially identical in design, so that only one of the headlights 20 and its functional components will be described in more detail below. The descriptions apply accordingly to the other headlight 20.

[0042] The headlight 20 according to a first embodiment is in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 schematically represented. The following are shown Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the headlight 20 in different operating modes, whereby the Fig. 2 shows the headlight 20 in a first operating mode and wherein the Fig. Figure 3 shows the headlight 20 in a second operating mode. The differences between the first and second operating modes are explained in more detail below.

[0043] The headlight 20 has a housing 21 with a receiving space 30 for functional components of the headlight 20. The housing 21 is closed at the front by a transparent or at least partially transparent end plate 22. The end plate 22 is, in particular, a plastic end plate. A light module 40 is arranged in the receiving space 30, the light module 40 having at least one activatable light source. The at least one activatable light source can, for example, be an LED. In this case, the light module 40 is a low beam module.

[0044] The light module could also be a high-beam module or a combined low-beam and high-beam module. The at least one activatable light source is designed to emit light when activated. In the case of a combined low-beam and high-beam module, it is conceivable that the light source has a first activated state, corresponding to the low beam, and a second activated state, corresponding to the high beam. In a deactivated state, the light source does not emit any light. The light module 40 has an optical system designed to shape the light emitted by the light source and direct it via a light-emitting surface 42 towards the end lens 22, thereby generating a desired light distribution in the area in front of the vehicle 10.

[0045] The headlight 20 has a cover frame 50, which is fixedly arranged in the receiving space 30. In this case, the cover frame 50 extends from the front bottom to the rear top through the receiving space 30 in a side view. As a result, in the direction of travel or longitudinal direction of the vehicle, parts of the receiving space 30 are covered from the front by the cover frame 50 for an external observer.

[0046] The headlight 20 further comprises a pivotable support frame 60, in which the light module 40 is mounted. The support frame 60 is pivotably mounted in the housing 21 about a pivot axis A which is essentially horizontal and parallel to the vehicle's transverse direction Y. This allows the light module 40 to be moved from a first end position, which is in the Fig. 2 is shown, to be pivoted into a second end position, which is in the Fig. 3 is shown.

[0047] As in particular the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, in the first end position the light emission surface 42 is arranged in the area covered by the cover frame 50 against external views, namely pivoted behind a front section of the cover frame 50 and thereby covered by it.

[0048] In the second end position, the light emission surface 42 is located outside the area covered by the cover frame 50 to prevent external viewing, namely pivoted upwards over the front section of the cover frame 50. The headlight 20 has a drive mechanism (not shown) for pivoting the support frame 60 about the pivot axis A.

[0049] It is intended that in the first operating mode, which is in the Fig. 2 shows that the light source is deactivated and the support frame 60 is moved into the first end position, whereas in the second operating mode, which is shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the light source is activated and the support frame 60 is moved into the second end position. This achieves a "hidden until lit" design for the spotlight 20.

[0050] In the present case, the cover frame 50 has an opening 51 in the pivoting area of ​​the light module 40, the light module 40 forming a cover plate, the cover plate being designed such that in the first end position it covers the opening 51, i.e., is flush with it. It is provided that a surface of the cover plate visible from the outside in the first end position is adapted to a surface of the cover frame 50 that is visible from the outside.

[0051] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the headlight 20, wherein the Fig. 4 shows the headlight 20 in the first operating mode and where the Fig. 5 shows the headlight 20 in the second operating mode.

[0052] The headlight 20 of the second embodiment differs significantly from the headlight 20 of the first embodiment in that the headlight 20 comprises a further light module 70 with a further activatable light source and with a further optical system, wherein light is emitted from the further light source in an activated state, and wherein the further optical system is configured to shape the light emitted by the further light source and to radiate it via a further light-exiting surface 72 in the direction of the cover lens 22, such that a further desired light distribution is generated in the area outside in front of the vehicle 10. The further light module 70 is, in this case, a daytime running light module.

[0053] The additional light module 70 is arranged in the vehicle's vertical direction Z above the light module 40 and attached to it. The cover frame 50 has a light emission window 52, ​​wherein in the first end position the additional light emission surface 72 is positioned in the light emission window 52 and in the second end position the light emission surface 42 is positioned in the light emission window 52. The cover frame 50 and the light emission window 52 are designed such that in the second end position the additional light emission surface 72 is located in the area covered by the cover frame 50 to prevent external viewing. Reference symbol list 10 motor vehicle 20 headlights 21 cases 22 End disc 30 Recording room 40 light modules 42 Light emission area 50 cover frames 51 Interruption 52 light-exit windows 60 support frames 70 additional light modules 72 Additional light emission area A swivel axis X Vehicle longitudinal direction Y Vehicle transverse direction Z Vehicle lifting direction

Claims

Headlight system for a motor vehicle (10), wherein the headlight system comprises at least one headlight (20), the headlight (20) comprising: - a housing (21) with a receiving space (30) for functional components of the headlight (20), - a cover plate (22) arranged on the housing (21) and closing off the receiving space (30) at the front, - a light module (40) arranged in the receiving space (30) with an activatable light source and with an optical system, wherein light is emitted from the light source in an activated state of the light source, wherein the optical system is configured to shape the light emitted by the light source and to radiate it via a light-exiting surface (42) in the direction of the cover plate (22) in such a way that a desired light distribution is produced in the area outside in front of the motor vehicle (10), - a cover frame (50), wherein the cover frame (50) is fixedly arranged in the receiving space (30).- a pivotable support frame (60), wherein at least the optical system is mounted in the support frame (60), the support frame (60) being pivotably mounted in the housing (21) about a pivot axis (A) in order to move at least the optical system from a first end position to a second end position and vice versa, wherein in the first end position the light emission surface (42) is arranged in an area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing and in the second end position the light emission surface (42) is arranged outside the area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing, - a drive, wherein the drive is configured to pivot the support frame (60) about the pivot axis (A), wherein the headlight system has a first operating mode and a second operating mode,wherein in the first operating mode the light source is deactivated and the support frame (60) is moved to the first end position and wherein in the second operating mode the light source is activated and the support frame (60) is moved to the second end position. Headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the headlight system has a headlight control, wherein the headlight control is configured to control the light module (40) and the drive, such that when switching to the first operating mode the light source is deactivated and the support frame (60) is moved to the first end position, and when switching to the second operating mode the light source is activated and the support frame (60) is moved to the second end position. Headlight system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when switching to the second operating mode the support frame (60) is first moved to the second end position and then the light source is activated, and when switching to the first operating mode the light source is first deactivated and the support frame (60) is moved to the first end position. Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light module (40) is mounted in the support frame (60). Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover frame (50) has an interruption (51) in the pivoting area of ​​at least the optical system, wherein a screen is connected to the support frame (60) or the light module (40) forms a screen, wherein the screen is designed such that the screen covers the interruption (51) in the first end position. Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light module (40) is a high beam module and / or low beam module for generating a high beam distribution and / or low beam distribution in the area outside in front of the motor vehicle (10) in the second operating mode. Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot axis (A) in a state of the headlight (20) mounted in the motor vehicle (10) runs parallel or substantially parallel to a transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle. Headlight system according to claim 7, wherein the second end position is changeable in order to enable headlight range control of the light distribution. Headlight system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein in a state of the headlight (20) mounted in the motor vehicle (10) the light emission surface (42) in the second end position is positioned higher in a vehicle vertical direction (Z) than in the first end position. Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further light module (70) with a further activatable light source and with a further optical system is mounted in the same support frame (60), wherein light is emitted from the further light source in an activated state of the further light source, wherein the further optical system is configured to shape the light emitted by the further light source and to emit it via a further light emission surface (72) in the direction of the end lens (22) in such a way that a further desired light distribution is generated in the external space in front of the motor vehicle (10), wherein in the second end position the further light emission surface (72) is arranged in the area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing and in the first end position the further light emission surface (72) is arranged outside the area covered by the cover frame (50) against external viewing. Headlight system according to claim 10, wherein in the first operating mode the additional light source is activated, in particular wherein in the second operating mode the additional light source is deactivated. Headlight system according to claim 11, wherein the further light module (70) is a daytime running light module. Headlight system according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cover frame (50) has a light emission window (52), wherein in the first end position the further light emission surface (72) is positioned in the light emission window (52) and in the second end position the light emission surface (42) is positioned in the light emission window (52). Headlight system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover frame (50) is completely opaque. Motor vehicle with a headlight system according to one of the preceding claims.

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